Many slot players have their own lucky numbers, but in Chinese culture, the number 8 is universally regarded as the most auspicious of them all, owing to its sound, which is similar to the word which means “prosper” or “wealth.” If one 8 is fortunate, then two of them must be doubly so, hence the name of this Chinese inspired online slot game from Aristocrat—Lucky 88.

Lucky 88 features a 5-reel, 25-payline format. The background colour for the reels is bright red—a hue that is also considered lucky among the Chinese—and there are firecrackers hanging from the top of the display to the left and right of the reels, just waiting for the right excuse to explode in celebration. All controls are located at the bottom of the display.

To begin, choose from 1 to 25 “Lines” by using the +/- toggles below the second reel or by clicking on the line numbers that flank the first and fifth reels. The amount of the “Bet” per line may be adjusted by using +/- toggles beneath the third reel. Available denominations range from €0.03 to €4.00, thus making the maximum possible wager €100 per spin. Instead of a “Max Bet” option, “Max” buttons are provided separately for the Lines and Bet per line amounts.

The basic reel symbols on Lucky 88 are the common card symbols, Nines through Aces. Payouts are made for matching three or more of these symbols for payouts of 5X to 68X; the Nines, however, pay 2X for just two symbols aligned. Higher rewards can be gained by matching symbols for the Drum, Pagoda or Monument, from 8X to 88X for three of a kind or more on an active payline. Catching just two or more of the Stork or Lion Statue symbols pays a line multiplier from 2X to 88X.

The wild symbol on all reels is the “MAN.” He substitutes for all of the above symbols during normal slot play and multiplies the line win by 2X~88X. The MAN animates by clapping when he is involved in a win; coins fall from his hands and the firecrackers may explode, too. Catching 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the Wilds in a winning combination pays 8X, 188X, 388X or 888X, respectively.

There is also a Lantern scatter symbol on each of the reels. Whenever 2, 3, 4 or 5 Lanterns appear anywhere on the reels, a payout is made times the total wager of 1X, 2X, 8X or 88X, respectively. Catching three or more Lantern scatter symbols also activates the Free Games Feature, with a choice of 3, 10 or 20 free spins with line multipliers of 18X/88X, 8X/38X or 5X/18X, respectively. Free games may be retriggered, too.

The player may also choose to activate the Extra Choice feature by paying an extra five credits with all 25 lines in play. Extra Choice provides a fourth free spins alternative plus the opportunity to select a Dice Game during the Free Games Feature. Nine dice are rolled, each having the number 8 on one face. The more 8s are rolled, the higher the payout.

Another bonus available on Lucky 88 is the Gamble Feature. After each win, the player has the option to guess a card, red or black to double up the winnings, or to pick a suit—hearts, diamonds, spades or clubs—to quadruple the winnings. Choosing correctly allows gambling again and again up to a maximum of five times, otherwise the “Take Win” button can used to collect the payout and return to the slot game mode. To make card selection a bit easier, a history of the suits of past cards drawn provides some useful information.

One other useful aspect of this slot is the Autoplay function. Clicking on the Autoplay button below the first reel will open a menu for selecting from 5 to 500 automatic spins. The game will only pause when the player clicks on “Stop Spin” or the Free Games Feature is activated. Note that the Gamble Feature is disabled during the Autoplay mode.

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